Lists, Allegations and Things Left Unsaid

Oscar Preview & Predictions Blog

2012-01-22T17:47:00.001-06:00

So I won't be using this space to pick the winners, that will be reserved for a time further down the road when I have seen more of these films (I'm on a watching frenzy currently trying to catch-up). Instead this will be is a space to highlight what I believe will be nominated and then what I think *should* be nominated. All of which in no particular order.

Documentary and Foreign subjects are my current focus so more to come with those soon as well.

Simple enough. Lets begin:

Best Picture --
(Please note: The voting is different this year for Best Picture so there could be as few as 5 and as many as 10 nominees. I'll be picking ten just in case)

Who I think will be nominated:
The Artist
The Help
The Descendants
The Tree of Life
Midnight in Paris
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Moneyball
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
War Horse
Hugo

Who I think SHOULD be nominated:
Drive
Hugo
Win/Win
Midnight in Paris
50/50
Take Shelter
Moneyball
A Separation
Warrior
The Descendants

Best Director --

Will be nominated:

Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Alexander Payne, The Descendants
Martin Scorsese, Hugo
Tate Taylor, The Help
Terrence Malick, The Tree of Life

SHOULD be nominated:
Alexander Payne, The Descendants
Takashi Miike, 13 Assassins
Martin Scorsese, Hugo
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
Nicolas Winding Refn, Drive

Best Actor --

Will be nominated:
George Clooney, The Descendants
Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Brad Pitt, Moneyball
Gary Oldman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Leonardo diCaprio, J.Edgar

SHOULD be nominated:
Michael Fassbender, Shame
George Clooney, The Descendants
Michael Shannon, Take Shelter
Thomas Horn - Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 50/50

Best Actress --

Will be nominated:
Viola Davis, The Help
Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn
Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Tilda Swinton, We Need To Talk About Kevin
Rooney Mara, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

SHOULD be nominated:
Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn
Charlize Theron, Young Adult
Elizabeth Olsen, Martha Marcy May Marlene
Kirsten Dunst, Melancholia
Leila Hatami - A Separation

Best Supporting Actor --

Will be nominated:
Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn
Jonah Hill, Moneyball
Patton Oswalt, Young Adult
Viggo Mortensen, A Dangerous Method

SHOULD be nominated:
Albert Brooks, Drive
Nick Nolte, Warrior
Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Ben Kingsley, Hugo
Max Von Sydow, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Best Supporting Actress --

Will be nominated:
Octavia Spencer, The Help
Bérénice Bejo, The Artist
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Shailene Woodley, The Descendants
Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs

SHOULD be nominated:
Jessica Chastain, Take Shelter
Carey Mulligan, Shame
Elle Fanning - Super 8
Shailene Woodley, The Descendants
Chloe Moretz - Hugo

Best Original Screenplay --

Will be nominated:
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Kristen Wiig & Annie Mumulo, Bridesmaids
Will Reiser, 50/50
Mike Mills, Beginners

SHOULD be nominated:
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
Tom McCarthy and Joe Tibani, Win Win
Asghar Farhadi, A Separation
Ben Ripley, Source Code
Will Reiser, 50/50

Best Cinematography --

Will be nominated:
Guillaume Schiffman, The Artist
Emmanuel Lubezki , The Tree of Life
Robert Richardson, Hugo
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Janusz Kaminski, War Horse

SHOULD be nominated
Emmanuel Lubezki, The Tree of Life
Robert Richardson, Hugo
Manuel Alberto Claro and Lars Von Trier, Melancholia
Newton Thomas Sigel, Drive
Sean Bobbitt, Shame

Note: I have yet to see "Warhorse" but I hear this will easily make my list but this is not an easy 5 to crack here so that remains to be seen.

Twenty-Eleven Music: Who Let the Filth Out

2012-01-06T12:19:00.004-06:00

A Compilation of the Best of the Worst Music 2011 has to offer. ..

A guest post from the legendary Mr Matthew Hevey aka 'Doofin'. And a mighty fine one at that I might add. Here's to hoping this is not the last such post from Matt, because this... is glorious.

20) Willow Smith – 21st Century

Apparently, level 25 in Scientology involves forcing your daughter to record an impotent version of a Rihanna/Kesha mashup. Thankfully, it looks like Willow has already gotten her own Wild, Wild West out of the way.

19) Patrick Stump – This City

Look, I was all for being a Fall Out Boy apologist when it seemed like they were the only band around. Somewhere I grew tired, much like Stump’s ongoing crusade to prove he is the white Michael Jackson. If only that was true, so he could have been drugged by a money hungry physician and spared us from this garbage.

18) Chris Brown – Look At Me Now

I really struggled putting this song here, as it’s a ridiculously good beat, not to mention Busta and Lil Wayne’s turns are more than enough to make it a good song on its own. Unfortunately someone let Chris Brown in the studio, where he somehow channeled his inner John Lennon to come up with some lyrics like:
…she accidentally slip and fall on my dick
Oops I said on my dick
I ain’t really mean to say on my dick
But since we talking about my dick
All of your haters say hi to it…

I’d make a domestic abuse joke, but Brown’s grasp of rhyme scheme seems to be the lower hanging fruit.

17) Design the Skyline – Surrounded by Silence

You know those kids who drive their parents to nervous breakdowns by haphazardly banging pots and pans and throwing temper tantrums for no reason? Well, a group of them grew up and formed a band, got anime haircuts and reaffirmed your suspicions that there is no God.

16) Bruno Mars – The Lazy Song

What is there to say? Bruno Mars doesn’t feel like doing anything. You know, like being original or writing a halfway decent song. Truthfully, who can blame him, what with so much pompadour styling and so little time?

15) Big Sean – Dance (A$$)

In 2009, Jay Sean brought us the seminal hit “Down”, where he repeated the titular word 72 times in a span of under 4 minutes. Not to be outdone, Big Sean has decided to bring us what appears to be the most unimaginative Mad Lib ever created, with the word A$$ being repeated 76 times. Noun? “Wobbledy-wobble”, Big Sean says. Adjective? “Hammer time.” Verb? “Go stupid.” Oh, you did that and then some, (insert adjective) Sean.

14) Big Sean – My Last

You know what’s worse than Drake? Sounding like a confused ripoff of Drake. All monotony aside, this song lives on two ends of a spectrum. In one hand, Chris Brown and Overcompensating Sean are letting us know they are going to head into the night like they’ve never done it before. But just before that, they were going to do the same thing like it was their last. Thankfully, the confusion is cleared by obvious stroke Big Sean is having, causing the endless amount of stuttering. God willing, this song will be, be, be his, be his last.

13) Kreayshawn – Gucci Gucci

I’m trying hard to figure out how I am supposed to respect three white girls from Oakland who dress like a hipster crashed headfirst into a secondhand Disney store. Oh, and then they make aural vomit. I’m pretty sure I’d rather listen to a pack of rabies-infested raccoons eat my firstborn then listen to this golf range vacuum cart.

Because they suck balls, you see.

12) Lady – Yankin

For years the world has been clamoring for a daring female rap artist to tell us how fantastic her vagina is. Right on cue, Lady showed up. And with a classy name like that, we were sure to learn all the subtle nuances of and genteel ways to please a woman’s hoo ha. Or, maybe she could be a psycho whore who equates her flesh covered bear trap to a group of weightlifters playing tug of war, and the rope is attached to your penis.

11) Chris Brown – Wet The Bed

This is your third appearance, Chris. 2011 was obviously not a good year for you, highlighted by your grotesque explanation of moistening your lover’s lady bits. Where Ginuwine tried to be cute with metaphors, you cut no corners and took what should have stayed a locker room conversation and applied a D’Angelo beat to it, proving once and for all that you think as much of songwriting as you do Rihanna’s face.

10) Lil B – I Got Aids

Remember when Tupac wrote Brenda’s Got A Baby and you thought, “What a good exposition into the life of a single woman in the hood and how hard life can be overall?” Well, Lil B wants to take all of that, throw it out the window and make AIDS sound more uncomfortable that it could ever actually feel. There’s a good message in here, unfortunately it’s wrapped in lyrics whose T-Cell counts are diminishing with every second.

9) Lady Gaga – Judas

Nothing more than a cacophony of afferent intonations bombastically reverberating in sonic resonance culminating in an insipid and inutile denouement with no formulated missive. See, Gaga, I can be pretentious with saying anything too! In the future, stick to sounding like Madonna rather than acting like her, as this is nothing more than a pop version of a Disturbed song combined with your narcissistic need to say your own name in songs. How many piece of silver did it take for you to sell your soul, by the way?

8) Kim Kardashian – Jam (Turn It Up)

Turn me up turn me up turn me turn me turn me up yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah. That’s how the song starts. They Playing my jam They Playing my jam They Playing my jam They Playing my jam They Playing my jam They Playing my jam They Playing my jam They Playing my jam turn it up turn it up turn it up turn it up turn it up turn it up turn it up turn it up turn it up turn it up. That’s how the chorus goes. As many times as Ray J came on her face, you’d think she would have at least gotten a hint of talent out of it.

7) Toby Keith – Red Solo Cup

Fresh out of ways to milk money from the masses who have no more to worry about other than Mexicans stealing all the dirt from their tires and Muslims existing altogether, Toby Keith turned to something that spends most of its existence as empty as his head is. The only thing worse than Toby Keith continuing to make music is…well, you’re about to see.

6) Trace Adkins – Brown Chicken Brown Cow

Reference to farm: Check. Reference to character with two first names: Check. Reference to beer: Check. Muppets having sex in a barn:. Chec…wait, what the living hell? More disturbing than Adkins thinking this was a good idea for a song (and video) is the fact that the two people in this song can’t get their kicks anywhere except in a barn. I’m afraid to see if the third verse includes the animals in the action. Aww, who the hell am I kidding, it’s country. Of COURSE it does.

5) Jason Aldean – Dirt Road Anthem

He’s hitting easy street on mud tires. He’s chilling on a dirt road. Laid back swerving, with an ice cold beer sitting in the console. But wait, kids, this song isn’t only about driving drunk. It’s also a lesson in everything that’s wrong with white people rapping. Yeah, Aldean *tries* his hand at flowing on the mic. He’s about as effective as Rick Perry in a debate, only with much less charm.

4) Brian McFadden – Just the Way You Are (Drunk At the Bar)

You know what’s better than a banjo laced song about DUIs and lack of infrastructure in the south? A banjo laced song about lusting after a drunk chick and date raping her in your car. This is what would have happened if those bastards that sang Cotton Eyed Joe had gotten a hold of your drink while you’re not looking. But fear not, wary drinkers, even if your rum and coke is secure, he’s already gotten rapey with your ears in this god awful mess of a song.

3) Hot Chelle Rae – Tonight Tonight

There was a scene in the Land of the Lost (don’t judge me you anonymous prick) where Will Ferrell was shit out by a T-Rex, and he has a hard time coming to terms with it. Which I’m pretty sure is an allegory for this travesty. I could go off on the holocaust of haircuts in this band alone, but I’ll hold back. It’s easy to see that their lyrics reflect how this collection of music professionals’ kids feel about music. You realize how bad this is, right? “La la la. Whatever.” But you’re not even a real band! “La la la. It doesn’t matter.” You realize you’ll never be respected because people know how talentless you are, right? “But watch how good we’ll fake it.”

Fuck you, Hot Chelle Rae. Fuck you indeed.

2) Rebecca Black – Friday

Look. You’ve heard this song 7,000 times. You and your frands have laughed at her. So there’s not too much to say here. She over enunciates her i’s, she’s indecisive about a god damned car seat, and they autotuned her autotune just to make this shit tolerable. She has a pedophilic black friend and a 1st grade grasp on days of the week. The only way in history that $5,000 was spent worse was Nicole Simpson’s security setup.

1) Heart2Heart – Facebook Official

Listen to it. Seriously, listen to the whole, miserable thing. If there is any bit of this that you find enjoyable, walk into traffic because you are a horrible person. For the rest of us, wipe the blood from your ears and focus. You know who to blame for that? Lance. M-Fing. Bass. While Justin Timberlake is becoming a silver screen darling, Lance Bass is finding ways to shit through stereo. He deserves a lifetime of punishment, to be delivered in the form of heterosexual sex for a millennia. Brian McFadden style, of course.

Top 10 Christmas Horror Films

2011-12-25T17:34:00.003-06:00

A scene from the '98 family film 'Jack Frost' starring Michael Keaton.
Or at least... I really hope it is

10) Silent Night, Bloody Night (1974)
Produced by B-Movie icon Lloyd Kaufman and even presenting John Carradine in a supporting role you have one of the more popular Psychological Horror Films centered on Christmas ever ma

9) Santa Claws (1996)
Watching your mother have sex with a man in a Santa outfit likely will cause some trauma for you as a child. For the main character in 'Santa Claws' it turns into an obsession with a B-Movie actress that leads the stalker down a bloody path.

8) Don't Open till Christmas (1984)
A murderous psychopath wanders the streets of London killing anyone found in a Santa Outfit. The first two acts are strong, with some inventive kills but it falls apart at the end. Nonetheless it provides a fun horror thriller worth a look.

7) Santa's Slay (2005)
Wrestler Bill Godlberg is Santa who little do you know is actually a demon (Santa-Satan, it's not a stretch) and goes on a rampage of killing which is what the TRUE meaning of Christmas really was. Yeah, it's awesome. And the opening scene; a dinner killing where you see the likes of Chris Kattan, Fran Drescher, Rebecca Gayheart and yes, James Caan meet their demise, well... it doesn't get much better than that.

6) Rare Exports (2010)
Hidden away in a deserted mountain range is a secret that many have worked hard to keep from the public: Santa is really a serial killer hell bent on punishing the naughty. In a plot line that reads like a B-Horror this Finnish delight is anything of the sort providing a serious look at an off-beat concept. It's funny, violent and all in all just a damn good suspense/horror thriller that likely moves higher on this list as the years pass.

5) Jack Frost (1996)
Not to be confused with the previously mentioned Keaton lead family film; This is tongue in cheek horror goodness. Honestly this is one of my *favorite* films period, let alone Christmas Horror. It also prompts one of the best WTF moments ever when you ask yourself: "Wait... where is the carrot?" And yes, that is Shannon Elizabeth below.

4) Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
Unlike a number of others on this list let me be clear: this is NOT just another tongue in cheek Horror film. This is a legitimately disturbing selection that to this day is still banned in some countries. I of course love it. The 4 sequels though? (Yes, they made a part V) Not so much.

3) Christmas Evil aka You Better Watch Out (1980)
Another extremely underrated yet somewhat perverted Christmas Horror feast about a man obsessed with the Holidays who eventually loses his connection with reality and believes he is Santa. The man then turns this obsession into a killing spree of the naughty. Its a bit darker than most might think and over the years has developed a pretty strong Cult following thanks in large part to John Waters calling it the "greatest Christmas movie ever made".

2) Black Christmas (1974)
One of the most influential Horror films of all time; a slasher that pre-dates Halloween and Friday the 13th. Black Christmas tells a now overwrought story line but at the time was an original, tense masterpiece that still stands the test of time today. The remake was pitiful but don't let that turn you off to what may be the first real slasher film.

1) Gremlins (1984)
Although some would argue the genre of 'Horror' here it still has the elements to make this a winner. Speilberg and Dante combined on one of my childhoods favorite films with enough dark humor to entrance any viewer even today. One of the greats in ANY genre.

Top 10 Mancrushes of 2011

2011-12-22T17:13:00.003-06:00

in no particular order...

Donald Glover

The reason for me to be excited on Thursday Nights. Community is hands down the funniest show on TV (seriously, it's not up for debate) and despite a wonderful cast from start to finish no one makes me laugh more than "Troy". Throw in his new rap album as "Childish Gambino" and seeing him do stand-up and rap at Fun, Fun, Fun Fest and my crush reached new heights in 2011.

Ricky Gervais

This is a newcomer to the list, and honestly it was a long time coming. The original Office and his podcasts alone should have given him his spot years before but he reached new heights with me after hosting the Golden Globes and the subsequent outspoken defense of Atheist everywhere. His closing line for the 2011 Globes, in front of millions says it all "... and thanks to God... for making me an atheist."

Neil deGrasse Tyson

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Neil deGrasse Tyson

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog

The Daily Show on Facebook

Science has needed someone like this for decades and now, *finally* they have their face for the masses. A charismatic genius that "gets it". Neil is as cool as they come and in an industry that no one ever thought was "cool" to begin with but now that all changes.

Jordan Hulls

The best shooting PG in the nation that was born in Indiana, was the Indiana Mr. Basketball as a HS senior and is one of the toughest SOB's on the floor every single time out is a resume enough. But to then lead my resurgent Indiana Hoosier squad to a now 11-0 record and our first top 25 ranking in nearly 4 years? Now, a lot of people might think I'd pick freshman Phenom Cody Zeller here but the team starts and ends with Mr. Jordy Hulls.

Dennis Kucinich

One more list and this man makes the Hall of Fame (see below). As the congressman for Ohio this is THE politician who really understands what the American people want and isn't afraid to say it. His help to get the Ohio Workers Bill voted down (http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0211/Kucinich_to_rally_in_solidarity_with_Ohio_public_workers.html) is yet another notch on a very impressive belt of accomplishments.

Andrew Garfield

I noticed him first on the criminally underrated Red Riding Trilogy. Then there was Never Let Me Go and his breakthrough performance in The Social Network. But for me it all came together after this one interview above. This one time where I realized that he too is just a nerd appealing to other nerds and how can I not get behind a calling like that?

Ryan Gosling

Yeah, yeah.. I know that anyone listing Ryan Gosling on a crushlist is about as shocking as Lindsay Lohan posing in playboy, it was all bound to happen. But Ryan took what was already a very stellar resume (Half Nelson, Lars & the Real Girl, Blue Valentine) and then added THE film of 2011 - Drive. The fanaticism and fact that he stared in the equally shitty as drive is amazing 'The Notebook' knocks him down some notches but in reality those aren't fair to him. Dude is just awesome. And I want to be friends. Yeah.

Stephen Colbert

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Bill O'Reilly Proves God's Existence - Neil deGrasse Tyson

www.colbertnation.com

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Another on the verge of a HOF spot. Colbert has taken his bit to new levels and continues to make tongue in cheek humor that is still informative. And to illustrate this all while coming full circle to the post a few spots above I present to you this clip.

Win Butler

Take the band with the greatest album of the decade, add in one of the best albums of last year (which even surprisingly won them a 2011 Grammy) and then allow me to see them live in what was perhaps one of the 3 greatest shows of my entire lifetime? That's a good stretch for Win and his band Arcade Fire. Throw in some amazing humanitarian efforts and the fact that I was even sent a hand signed post card from the band simply for donating to their charity and well... you have the recipe for a man crush.

Rachel Maddow

Well, you see... Ahem.

Bonus Pick:
Christopher Hitchens

This is a bit of an honorary pick since, unfortunately, Mr Hitchens left us on 12/15. Author of the hilarious yet informative "God is not Great" and along with one of my favorite Authors Chuck Klosterman helped with a series of Vanity Fair articles that are both controversial and invigorating. You will be missed sir. RIP.

Hall of Fame
P.T. Anderson
Sean Astin
Reggie Miller
Peyton Manning
Rivers Cuomo
Jason Schwartzman

Creepy Specific Crushes

Ron Swanson smiling
Jared Leto AS Jordan Catalanto only
Bernie Sanders in a suit on the Senate Floor
Jake Gyllenhaal ranting in Donnie Darko

Top 10, err... 15 Concerts I Attended in 2011

2011-12-15T13:46:00.004-06:00

In the first of my Best Of 2011 lists...

To follow there will be Best Of's in Film, Albums, Songs, TV and a few random surprises. But we shall start here. And keep in mind too these aren't necessarily the best bands, just the best shows. Although that of course plays a HUGE influence.

And in what is becoming a tradition with my music lists here is a Spotify Playlist specially created with only bands I saw in 2011.

Spotify '11 Concerts Playlist: http://open.spotify.com/user/12440324/playlist/7o4TyTc4J1gyn4qRyOFFH8

15) Justin Townes Earle

Grant/Millennium Park - Chicago

Choice Moment: Doing a heartbreaking yet fun rendition of Bruce Springsteen's "Racing in the Street"

Show Clip: There were only two total clips online so this will have to do.

14) Pete Yorn with Ben Kweller (On my 31st Birthday btw)

Canopy Club - Champaign, Il

Choice Moment: Ben Kweller's piano solo cover of the Beach Boys "God Only Knows". That and me catching a drumstick of course.

Show Clip: I actually have some video of this but its not handy. This will have to do instead (he played this acoustic in this show as well). I effing love it when he breaks the verse down too.

13) The Dodos

in a small church - Champaign - Pygmalion Music Festival

Choice Moment: The atmosphere is what made this so special. Just watching these guys play 8 and 9 minute+ version of their work in this small intimate setting with a stained glass window behind them was perfection. I liked this band before this show, I loved them after.

Show Clip: Sadly no actual clip can be found. But this wonderfully building piece below perfectly exemplifies what this band is like live.

12) Bob Schneider and Filter

Bat Fest 2011 - Austin, TX

Choice Moment: This was my first concert in Austin so it had a special meaning regardless. But seeing the Adam West rocking out to some 'Honey Pot' and then an impromptu cover by Bob and his band of Biz Markie's "Just a Friend" are moments I won't soon forget.

Show Clip: Just a friend... with a lil' improv in that Bob Schneider way. This whole performance and show just reeks of Austin.

11) Alpha Rev with Quiet Company, Joe Pug and Ed Rolland of Collective Soul
La Zona Rosa - Austin
Choice Moment: Ed Roland on stage singing "World I Know" and "Shine" with Alpha Rev. Something I never thought I'd hear again live in my lifetime. Throw in Quiet Company's cover of "El Scorcho" and we had one hell of a successful show.

Show Clip: This is actually my own video that I uploaded to my facebook. I think my quote to my friend right before they played this was "If they play 'The World I Know' I may lose it".

10) Iron & Wine with The Head and the Heart
Vogue Theater - Indianapolis
Choice Moment: Both bands on stage for a stirring collaborative version of "Boy with a Coin". This also was the first I had ever heard of The head and the Heart who are now one of my favorite new bands of 2011.

Show Clip: Sadly no actual clip could be found. But they did perform a very striking version of this song below in the same manner, which of course was effing moving.

9) Death Cab for Cutie
Austin Music Hall - Austin
Choice Moment: Closing the show with a 10 minute version of Transatlantacism, my all-time favorite Death Cab track. That alone was worth the price of admission and was the first time I had ever heard it Live.

Show Clip: I was up stairs in a VIP area with a pretty sweet view. The crowd singing along to a stripped down version of "I'll Follow You Into the Dark" also was pretty sweet:

8) M83, Lykke Li, Ra Ra Riot, Spoon, Joy Formiddable, Childish Gambino, Cold Cave
Fun, Fun, Fun Fest - Austin
Choice Moment: Honestly it might have been Donald Glover's standup but aside from that the M83 and LykKe Li shows were two that exceeded my expectations.

Show Clip: I dig this a lot because you can see how well they utilized the stage. it was a long day so I was sitting for part of this but it was a wonderful way to wind down the fest.

7) Braid, Deerhoof, Japandroids, Asobi Seksu, Strfkr
PolyVinyl 15th Anniversary Show - Pygmalion Music Fest - Champaign
Choice Moment: Pretty much the second Braid got on stage. I felt like I was 15 again.

Show Clip: I was all over the place for this show but for Braid was pretty close the first half, and for good reason

6) Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Metro - Chicago
Choice Moment: Uhh, seeing Godspeed live. Seriously, this was something I had waited years for. The use of lights and stage accents really helped as well.

Show Clip: I was actually way in the back for this one, but it didn't matter. You can enjoy them from anywhere. This is 15 minutes that you need to invest right here

5) Foster the People, MGMT, The Shins, Big Boi, Phantogram, Erykah Badu, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Phish
Outside Lands Fest - San Francisco
Choice Moment: Foster the People covering well... let me just link this below. If you don't know why this was so awesome you don't know me too well.

All in all this was an amazing festival from top to bottom. And with 65 degree weather in SF the week after I just accepted a new job and moved across the country it was a fitting way to end my weekend

4) Bon Iver
Chicago Theater - Chicago
Choice Moment: Completely stripped down Acoustic version of "Skinny Love" with the crowd singing along.

Show Clip: about ten rows from the front, on the left side. Every single song was so damn powerful, this is how the show opened. Just like on the new album.

3) The National with Local Natives
Austin Music Hall - Austin
Choice Moment: Encore set by The National that included lead singer Matt Berninger walking through the entire crowd belting the repeated lyrics at the end of Terrible Love. Followed by a 100% unplugged (literally, not even a mic) and singing in unison with the crowd for the finale.

Show Clip: The true closing number, completely unplugged. Brilliant

2) Weezer
Memories Tour -Pinkerton Album - Chicago
Choice Moment: For those not familiar this wasn't just a 'Weezer' concert, this was them playing Pinkerton, in it's entirety, from start top finish. So hearing tracks like Butterfly and Across the Sea was beyond special since these are songs that Rivers usually refuses to play in other shows because of how personal and emotionally tragic they are.

Show Clip: Was right in front, dead center for this with Vicki and friends belting out every lyric in unison. When the crowd goes nuts here is a "memory" indeed

1) Arcade Fire with The National
UIC Pavilion - Chicago
Choice Moment: The entire show really. This may have been the greatest concert of my lifetime even. Arcade Fire played an over 2 hour set that I will likely never forget.

Show Clip: I was a bit closer than this, just towards the right of the stage. The energy of the crowd was and is palpable. This may have been the greatest show of the last decade for me, not just 2011. Effing perfection.

Honorable Mention: Passion Pit (Assembly Hall - Champaign) Appleseed Cast (Champaign), Saves the Day with Bayside (Austin), Cut Copy with Washed Out (Champaign, Pygmalion Music Fest), Bear Hands (Champaign, Pygmalion Music Fest), Margot & the Nuclear So &So's (Vogue Theater, Indianapolis), Girl Talk (Canopy Club - Champaign)

Top 10 Songs I act Like I Hate, but Secretly Love

2011-12-05T15:34:00.002-06:00

And yes, I am fully prepared to take plenty of shit for this one.

Plus you are a cold-hearted liar if you act like you hate every track listed.

===========================

10) Britney Spears – Toxic

Yeah...

9) Katy Perry – Firework

It took me a full year before I even knew this was Katy Perry.

8) Lady Gaga – A Bad Romance

I just love all of that "ra ra aha ah ahhha hhh, gaga oohh lala" or whatever it is. Ugh.

7) Kelly Clarkson – Since You Been Gone*
I refuse to use the actual title which instead spells it "U"

It is impossible for me not to bob my head to the chorus

6) Natasha Beddingfield - Pocket Full of Sunshine

This clip perfectly exemplifies this song to me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HVCB9hW6kg&feature=related

5) LMFAO – Rock Party Anthem

Tongue in cheek wonderfulness. And I will forever defend the Kia Gerbils too.

4) Justin Bieber – Baby

Ugh. This one is tough but I... just.cant.help.myself.

This also may be the greatest thing in the world: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eWxPgyD7Ew

3) Leona Lewis – Bleeding Love

"I don't care what they say..." I'm still in love with this song. I can't explain it either.
I heard it on AI one night and have been hooked since.

2) Backstreet Boys – I Want it That Way (Tell me Why)

My first true "guilty pleasure song". The Tell me whyeyye?!?! is pop perfection in shit wrapper.

1) Enrique Iglesias – You Can’t Escape My Love

I have secretly loved this song for too many years now, the cat is out of the bag. No single track on the planet immediately puts me in as good of a mood as this. I had an ex that would play it every time we fought and I would concede and just smile. No joke. Why? I still don't know. But it is and always likely will be my #1 secret joy in this world.

Bonus Tracks –

Whatever is played during this commercial:

Any recent song by The Black Eyed Pees

Top 10 Soundtracks of the 90's

2011-11-17T16:34:00.003-06:00

And please note this is needle drop only. NOT scores. That is a different and, honestly, much more difficult list for me to make outside of the top 3.

===========================
And for the lazy folks out there I made you a best of Playlist on Spotify. Complete with many songs seen here and some other random additions that just scream "90's Soundtrack"

Spotify 90's Soundtrack Playlist:
http://open.spotify.com/user/12440324/playlist/5fkdH8aMXMfOHAMYmlGA16

===========================

Bonus Pick
#11) Trainspotting

Iggy Pop, Brian Eno, New Order, Pulp and more? Yes please. It also features my favorite song by one of my alltime favorite artists in Lou Reed's brilliant "Perfect Day"

1. Lust for Life - Iggy Pop
2. Deep Blue Day - Brian Eno
3. Trainspotting - Primal Scream
4. Atomic - Sleeper
5. Temptation - New Order
6. Nightclubbing - Iggy Pop
7. Sing - Blur
8. Perfect Day - Lou Reed
9. Mile End - Pulp
10. For What You Dream Of - Bedrock
11. 2:1 - Elastica
12. A Final Hit - Leftfield
13. Born Slippy .NUXX - Underworld
14. Closet Romantic - Damon Albarn

10) The Crow

I listened to this far too much to be able to omit it. Looking back, it wasn't nearly as good as I recalled but a number of standouts still exist. The Cure's "Burn", NIN's cover of Joy Divisions "Dead Souls" and one of my favorite STP tracks highlight the album. I also am still oddly driven to Jane Siberry's "It Can't Rain All the Time" which I remember listening to on repeat in my bedroom under a ton of blacklights. Yeeeeaaaah... Ahem.

1. Burn - The Cure
2. Golgotha Tenement Blues - Machines of Loving Grace
3. Big Empty - Stone Temple Pilots
4. Dead Souls - Nine Inch Nails (Joy Division)
5. Darkness - Rage Against the Machine
6. Color Me Once - Violent Femmes
7. Ghostrider - Rollins Band
8. Milktoast - Helmet
9. The Badge - Pantera
10. Slip Slide Melting - For Love Not Lisa
11. After the Flesh - My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult
12. Snakedriver - The Jesus and Mary Chain
13. Time Baby III - Medicine
14. It Can't Rain All the Time - Jane Siberry

9) Jerry Maguire

Not as reminiscent of the decade but still full of older goodies to be found from The Who, Tom Petty and more. Aimee Mann's "Wise Up" (although better utilized in PTA's Magnolia) helped the cause in my list more than most would know. I also will forever be an apologist for Springsteen's "Secret Garden". Yep.

1. Requiem Again -The Durutti Column
2. The Horses - Rickie Lee Jones
3. I'll Be You - The Replacements
4. Momma Miss America - Paul McCartney
5. Singalong Junk- Paul McCartney

6. Pocket Full of Rainbows - Elvis Presley
7. The Lonely Bull - Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
8. Angel of the Morning - Merrilee Rush
9. Getting In Tune - The Who

10. Magic Bus - The Who
11. Something in the Way - Nirvana

12. For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) - AC/DC

13. Free Fallin' - Tom Petty

14. Neil Young – World on a String
15. Shelter from the Storm- Bob Dylan
16. Secret Garden - Bruce Springsteen
17. Bitch - The Rolling Stones
18. Wise Up - Aimee Mann

8) Gross Pointe Blank

First can we just all acknowledge now how underrated this flick is? Good, I agree. Another soundtrack that doesn't necessarily capture as much of the 90's but still strikes the right chord for the decade as a film in the process. It also helped catapult Violent Femmes back into the spotlight, a feat that deserves recognition alone. I also gave extra points for Faith No More and the addition of a top 25 track of all time in "Under Pressure"

1. Blister In The Sun - Violent Femmes

2. Rudie Can't Fail - Clash
3. Mirror In The Bathroom - English Beat
4. Under Pressure - David Bowie, Queen
5. I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash
6. Live & Let Die - Guns N' Roses
7. We Care A Lot - Faith No More
8. Pressure Drop - Specials
9. Absolute Beginners - Jam
10. Armagideon Time - Clash
11. El Matador - Los Fabulosos Cadillacs
12. Let My Love Open The Door (E. Cola Mix) - Pete Townshend
13. Blister 2000 - Violent Femmes

7) So I Married an Axe Murderer

It was really hard to keep this just at 7 actually. Perfectly illustrates the 90's both in film and soundtrack including some of the most distinguishable tracks of the decade most notably with the Spin Doctor's "Two Princes". Throw in Toad the Wet Sprocket, Soul Asylum and a cheerful closing track in "There She Goes" and we have a perfectly balanced 90's soundtrack.

1. Brother - Toad the Wet Sprocket
2. The Break - Soul Asylum
3. Starve To Death - Chris Whitley
4. Rush - Big Audio Dynamite
5. This Poem Sucks - Mike Myers
6. Saturday Night - Ned's Atomic Dustbin
7. Long Day in the Universe - Darling Buds
8. Two Princes - Spin Doctors
9. My Insatiable One - Suede
10. Maybe Baby - Sun 60
11. There She Goes - La's

6) Forrest Gump

This easily could have been the top soundtrack of the 90's but I knocked it a few points for not having anything truly "90's" about it. Whats so great about this list for me is the time period it exemplifies and although this is one of the greatest music soundtracks of all time it does not have anything definable in it for said decade. Having said all that, Holy Hell is this an amazing soundtrack.

Disc One

1. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
2. Rebel Rouser - Duane Eddy
3. (I Don't Know Why) But I Do" - Clarence "Frogman" Henry
4. Walk Right In - The Rooftop Singers
5. Land of 1000 Dances - Wilson Pickett
6. Blowin' in the Wind - Joan Baez
7. Fortunate Son - Creedence Clearwater Revival
8. I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) - The Four Tops
9. Respect - Aretha Franklin
10. Rainy Day Women #12 - Bob Dylan
11. Sloop John B - Beach Boys
12. California Dreamin' - The Mamas & the Papas
13. For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
14. What the World Needs Now Is Love - Jackie DeShannon
15. Break on Through (To the Other Side) - The Doors
16. Mrs. Robinson - Simon & Garfunkel

Disc Two
1. Volunteers - Jefferson Airplane
2. Let's Get Together - The Youngbloods
3. San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair) - Scott McKenzie
4. Turn! Turn! Turn! - The Byrds
5. Medley: Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In - The 5th Dimension
6. Everybody's Talkin' - Harry Nilsson
7. Joy to the World - Three Dog Night
8. Stoned Love - The Supremes
9. Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head - B. J. Thomas
10. Mr. President - Randy Newman
11. Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
12. It Keeps You Runnin' - The Doobie Brothers
13. I've Got to Use My Imagination - Gladys Knight & the Pips
14. On the Road Again - Willie Nelson
15. Against the Wind - Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band

5) Singles

The second Cameron Crowe film to make the list which if you follow him close enough should be no surprise. As a whole, I feel that the power here is more in the bands themselves then the tracks but in the end you can't make a 90's list and not mention something that includes the likes of Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden and more. Nothing exemplifies the grunge era better than this.

1. Would? - Alice in Chains
2. Breath - Pearl Jam
3. Seasons - Chris Cornell
4. Dyslexic Heart - Paul Westerberg
5. The Battle of Evermore (live Led Zeppelin cover) - The Lovemongers
6. Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns - Mother Love Bone
7. Birth Ritual - Soundgarden
8. State of Love and Trust - Pearl Jam
9. Overblown - Mudhoney
10. Waiting for Somebody Paul Westerberg
11. May This Be Love -The Jimi Hendrix Experience
12. Nearly Lost You - Screaming Trees
13. Drown - Smashing Pumpkins

4) Empire Records

Not as many individual standouts in terms of singles but it was an album I listed to on repeat for many years. There isn't a bad track on the album with some of the most definable 90's pop bands to be found. Gin Blossoms, Toad the Wet Sprocket, The Cranberries, Better Than Ezra and more. It's one of the first thoughts I have when I think of "90's Soundtracks" and for good reason.

1. Til I Hear It from You - Gin Blossoms
2. Liar - The Cranberries
3. A Girl Like You - Edwyn Collins
4. Free - The Martinis
5. Crazy Life - Toad the Wet Sprocket
6. Bright As Yellow - The Innocence Mission
7. Circle of Friends - Better Than Ezra
8. I Don't Want to Live Today - Ape Hangers
9. Whole Lotta Trouble - Cracker
10. Ready, Steady, Go by The Meices
11. What You Are - Drill
12. Nice Overalls - Lustre
13. Here It Comes Again - Please
14. The Ballad of El Goodo - Evan Dando
15. Sugarhigh - Coyote Shivers
16. The Honeymoon Is Over - The Cruel Sea

3) Can't Hardly Wait

A wonderfully balanced soundtrack with some amazing little known tracks from under-appreciated bands like Feeder and Matthew Sweet with huge hits from Blink and Busta Rhymes. Throw in some great older party mix tunes from the 80's in GnR and Run DMC and you have a winner from top to bottom.

1. Graduate - Third Eye Blind
2. Can't Get Enough Of You Baby - Smash Mouth
3. Dammit - Blink 182
4. I Walked In - Brougham
5. Turn It Up/Fire It Up - Busta Rhymes
6. Hit Em Wit Da Hee - Missy Elliott feat. Lil' Kim and Mocha
7. Swing My Way - K.P. & Envyi
8. Flashlight - Parliament
9. It's Tricky - Run D.M.C.
10. High - Feeder
11. Tell Me What To Say - Black Lab
12. Farther Down - Matthew Sweet
13. Can't Hardly Wait - The Replacements
14. Umbrella - Dog's Eye View
15. Paradise City - Guns N' Roses

2) Cruel Intentions

Two songs firmly had this planted on the top 3 without me even trying: The Verve's "Bitter Sweet Symphony" and one of my top 5 songs of the decade "Colorblind" by the never out of style Counting Crows. Throw in an amazing decade defining track from Fatboy Slim and some wonderful additions by Blur, Skunk Anansie and Marcy Playground and you have a fantastic soundtrack that unlike others on this list, better encompasses my current musical taste.

1. Every You Every Me - Placebo
2. Praise You - Fatboy Slim
3. Coffee And TV - Blur
4. Bedroom Dancing - Day One
5. Colorblind - Counting Crows
6. Ordinary Life - Kristen Barry
7. Comin' Up From Behind - Marcy Playground
8. Secretly - Skunk Anansie
9. This Love - Craig Armstrong
10. You Could Make A Killing - Aimee Mann
11. Addictive - Faithless
12. Trip On Love - Abra Moore
13. You Blew Me Off - Bare Jr.
14. Bitter Sweet Symphony -The Verve

1) Reality Bites

It just oozes 90's in every aspect and includes a wonderful mix of radio friendly pop hits like Big Mountain's "Baby I Love your Way" and the Knacks "My Sharona" with some of the edgier influential bands of the decade like Dinosaur Jr and the Posies. More importantly (and what puts this album over the top for me) it features two of my all-time favorite songs: The impeccable beauty Lisa Loeb doing two versions of her #1 hit "Stay" (including an acoustic version that still gets to me today) and one of the greatest unknown U2 love songs in the nearly 7 minute "All I Want is You". I can still listen to this from start to finish today and enjoy every minute of it just like I did as a HS Sophomore, which in the end is what allowed this to narrowly edge out the #1 spot.

1. My Sharona - The Knack
2. Spin The Bottle - The Juliana Hatfield 3
3. Bed Of Roses - The Indians
4. When You Come Back To Me - World Party
5. Going, Going, Gone - The Posies
6. Stay (I Missed You) - Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories
7. All I Want Is You - U2
8. Locked Out - Crowded House
9. Spinning Around Over You - Lenny Kravitz
10. I'm Nuthiin' - Ethan Hawke
11. Turnip Farm - Dinosaur Jr.
12. Revival - Me Phi Me
13. Tempted (94) - Squeeze
14. Baby, I Love Your Way - Big Mountain
15. Stay (I Missed You) (Living Room Mix) - Lisa Loeb
16. Ass It Up - Ethan Hawke
17. Confusion - New Order
18. Disco Inferno - The Trammps
19. Give A Man A Fish - Arrested Development
20. Fools Like Me - Lisa Loeb

Honorable Mention:

Pulp Fiction - Some of the most entertaining parts are the integrated sound bites from the movie leading into the music. Unfortunately those don't really count for me in the rules I went by here.

The Chase - Maybe the best Punk soundtrack *ever*. Sadly though a real "soundtrack" was never released so this is here because of that technicality. Artists include: NOFX, Bad Religion, Down by Law, Rancid, Rollins Band and more.

Phenomenon - More of a guilty pleasure for me than anything else but some solid tracks by Eric Clapton, Peter Gabriel, Marvin Gaye. Jewel and yeah, I said it: Aaron Neville.

The Matrix - Honestly I just got really sick of this (and still am 12+ years later). But it did have some standout tracks from Rage Against the Machine, Rammstein, Prodigy and more. It's worth noting too that (lamely) half the songs on the Soundtrack were not even featured in the film. Another point that frustrates me in a "Disturbing Behavior" level way. Which if you know what I am referring to right now are likely my friend for life.

American Pie - The first album out of the top 11. A variety of fun tracks from bands like Blink, Third Eye Blind, Tonic and more with two excellent subdued counterparts with Bic Runga's "Sway" and her duet with Semisonic's Dan Wilson with "Good Morning Baby"

Cable Guy - It starts and ends with a top 25 track of the decade for me in Primitive Radio Gods hit "Standing Outside a Broken Telephone Booth with Money in my Hand". Throw in Filter's "Hey Man Nice Shot" and Rob Zombie's hit "More Human than Human" and you have another album that was tough to leave off the list.

Spotify 90's Soundtrack Playlist: http://open.spotify.com/user/12440324/playlist/5fkdH8aMXMfOHAMYmlGA16

Top 10 Songs Likely to be heard at the Doofin’s wedding

2011-11-11T21:00:00.019-06:00

and in no particular order...

Jimmy Eat World – For Me this is Heaven
second song that came to my head

Ryan Adams - Wonderwall
because it's beautiful and the greatest cover of all time. A point we both agreed upon

Tonic – If you could only see
First song that came to my head

Guster – Satellite
I had to pick a Guster song. And although my guess is something like 'Either Way' would be a favorite, lyrically it made the least sense for a wedding.

Fall Out Boy – Grand Theft Autumn/Where is Your Boy
You know I must love you to have taken my time to find a Fall Out Boy song for this list. <3
And lyrically its a stretch but it works(ish)

John Williams - Jurassic Park Soundtrack - Main Theme
and it will be at my wedding too...

Decemberists – The Rake's Song
Can't make a list for my Doofin without some Colin. This was the obvious choice IMO

Randy Edelman- Last of the Mohicans Soundtrack - Promentory
You have to think of me at some point in the wedding. This addition should suffice

The Beatles – Eleanor Rigby
I think we discussed this actually. Some lyrics might not fit but otherwise its perfect

Pete Yorn – Just Another Girl
too many to choose from here. but to for me... this one is heaven (oh and see below)

Top 10 Songs with Whistling

2011-11-02T12:27:00.000-05:00

10) Foster the People – Pumped Up Kicks
-2:49 mark-

9) Warren G ft. Nate Dogg - Regulate
-opening-

8) Rilo Kiley – Ripchord (written about Elliot Smith btw)
-1:45-

7) Ottis Redding - Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay
-2:30-

6) Guns N' Roses - Patience
-opening-

5) Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - Home

-Opening and every Chorus-

4) Tom Waits - Green Grass
-2:33-

3) Bobby McFerrin - Don’t Worry Be Happy

-opening-

2) Andrew Bird – Oh No (but really this is for just about *any* Andrew Bird song)
- :57 mark for the intro and sporadic after that-

1) Peter Bjorn & John - Young Folks
-err... everywhere-

Honorable Mention:

They Might Be Giants - Whistling in the Dark

Only listed because its a song about whistling that has no whistling. Yep.

Top 10 Horror Films to prepare for Halloween that are currently available on Netflix Streaming

2011-10-25T13:43:00.002-05:00

-in no particular order-

The Exorcist

Still creepy multiple decades later and the one film that the Baby Boomer generation regularly calls the scariest film of all time. It affected people in theaters all those years ago and still packs a pretty tight and well-paced story for the younger horror fans today. It’s a classic for a reason. Skip the edited version on AMC and check out the original un-cut masterpiece on Netflix instead. It also features a much better version of the "creepy stairs walk" that has been copied in films like The Grudge/Ju-On more recently

http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/The-Exorcist/14546619

Trick ‘r Treat

This was the first movie I centered on when making this list. A wonderful vignette of 4 interwoven stories all taking place on Halloween night that gradually builds to a rather interesting ending. It’s a fun homage to the Horror genre that nicely walks the line between camp and genuine fright.

http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Trick_r_Treat/70060004?trkid=2361637

The Howling

I’d love to recommend Silver Bullet here but alas it is not available. The Howling is actually an edgier and gorier option but doesn’t have the camp in the Bullet Bite. If you want a good old-school Werewolf flick with some decent kills and special effects this is your choice.

http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/The_Howling/60020716?trkid=4434179

Them (Ills)

A riveting home invasion story with a twist. The French are the clear Horror winners of the decade and this is one of their gems. Not a gore fest like High Tension or Inside but just as creepy. Think ‘The Strangers’ with more atmospheric scares.
http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Them/70075470

Lake Mungo

Another top 25 for my decade list that centers around a ghost story told in a way you might not expect. This is a little gem that not many may have found but is well worth your time.

http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Lake_Mungo/70114970?trkid=2361637

Night of the Living Dead

The film that literally invented the Zombie we all know and love today and effectively changed the horror genre as a result. Parents used to drop their kids off to watch classic horror films on Saturday afternoons where no one really got scared. That all changed with George A Romero. Still relevant and the political undertones speak just as loudly today.

http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Night-of-the-Living-Dead/17017662

Ghoulies

80’s B-Movie camp at it’s best. I used to watch this over and over as a kid. Wonderful camp and just a damn good time all around. On a related note I *really* want this poster in my bathroom. I think I’m going to make this happen

http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Ghoulies/70209222?trkid=4377176

Session 9

Brad Anderson’s psychological mind bender gets better and better by the viewing. Not typical “horror” per se but definitely creepy and one that will keep you guessing. This made the top 15 on my decade list for a reason. It’s brilliant.

http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Session_9/60021401?trkid=496624

The Evil Dead

I did just tattoo this on my body. I’m guessing that means I think pretty highly of it. You just can’t go wrong with some classic Raimi that brings the casual and hardcore Horror fans together in something that is both funny and genuinely scary all in the same 90 minute punch.

http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/The_Evil_Dead/484369?trkid=2361637

The Awkward Double Bonus:

Santa Sangre

Not quite Horror in the traditional sense but just a mind bending fucked up bloody mess. One of my all-time favorites but I have to be in the mood for sure. If any of you partake any recreational activities during your horror viewings this would be the perfect fit.
http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Santa_Sangre/70159609?trkid=4414868

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer

Now this one might be a tougher for a few out there. Its graphic and displays the brutality in a very raw and uncensored format. With that in mind it really paved the way for some of the modern peeping tom style of Horror that is making its waves on the internet and if you find yourself intrigued by a Mockumentary like S&M Man than this is definitely your cup of tea. Which by the way is a creepy phrase to use in context here.

http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Henry_Portrait_of_a_Serial_Killer/584120?trkid=4368101

Brainwash Your Face: The Top Documentaries of 2010

2011-10-19T19:41:00.037-05:00

Typically I would reserve any specific genre list such as this for an end of the decade or similar compilation. But what we experienced over the past 12 months was and is something truly unique and unlike any year in recent memory. If truth is in fact stranger than fiction, it is also then more elusive and haunting, more provocative and absolutely less reprehensible. This point is revealed and then some within 2010’s remarkable documentaries. Even as the year’s fiction films toyed with timelines or conjured dreamscapes, a remarkable number of documentaries challenged basic assumptions about structure and representation, faith and truth. Those remarkable films I have had the privilege of watching and below are what I believe are the best of the best. Enjoy:

15) Catfish

Although over-hyped and poorly mismarketed we still find here a TRUE (yes, it is real) look at the human spirit and need for some people to find and feel a connection with someone, anyone and the lengths they will take to experience that. Now, I won't spoil Catfish's twists here, but the publicity strategy is frustrating. It gives the impression that the major thing going for Catfish is the element of surprise, when in fact, the craft of this film is uncommonly impressive. You could remove the mystery quotient altogether and Catfish would remain the rare ultra-low-budget personal hybrid documentary with an extraordinary visual logic, and an even more extraordinary sense of compassion for its subjects. Even, especially, when its subjects take a turn for the superweird. The ending drags a bit in a style Peter Jackson could only appreciate but it doesn't remove us from what is still an intriguing character study.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuE98oeL-e0

14) Gas Land

A film that exposes the "fracked up" truth about natural Gas and the families exploited in the process. One man, one idea with one camera begins to document something that is both frightening and enlightening. Its the type of doc that makes you a character as well exposing the ugly underbelly as we tread along attempting to light a match to the companies at fault. Although after the viewing don't be surprised if you find yourself lighting a match as well... under your own water faucet.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZe1AeH0Qz8

13) Art of the Steal

Everybody likes a good art heist flick. But Don Argott's documentary The Art of the Steal is the rare heist film where we root for the art owners, not the cunning (and always attractive) thieves. The bad guys here are a powerful cabal of politicians, media entities, greed mongers, and massive public charity organizations, while the good guys are a scrappy bunch of art scholars. What are they fighting over? Control of a collection believed to be the greatest repository of Post-Impressionist and early Modern art, and is rumored to be worth at least $25 billion. And what takes place is no doubt a criminal act.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMe3r9PLtpI

12) Cropsey

Cropsey is the pseudonym given to all the evil that lurks in the shadows of Staten Island. This urban legend, passed down to each generation, takes on many different guises: Cropsey is the crazed killer brandishing a hook for a hand, or maybe an ax, or the ever-popular butcher knife. But is Cropsey a manifestation of the fears of the young or a bonafide maniac tormenting the towns people? InCropsey, directors Barbara Brancaccio and Joshua Zeman seek to weave the urban legend with the real-life disappearances of young children on Staten Island. And while the legend isn't really the question in the end, the journey to get there and our own curiosity pushes us along to an entertaining look at a fine example of the rare suspense themed Documentary.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJKPvaNEVjs

11) Winnebego Man

This is a fascinating journey into a strange, darkly funny story of internet legend Jack Rebney, a Winnebago salesman who achieved notoriety based on outtakes of a corporate video he shot in the 1980s. As the Toronto Star critic Gregg Quill aptly put it "Perhaps the most disturbing issue raised in Ben Steinbauer's fascinating and often hilarious Winnebago Man has to do with the Internet's awesome ability to reduce complex and apparently dangerous behavior to the level of banal spectacle." You laugh at him while also realizing how sad some of this has all become but in the end it has this redeeming subtlety that can't help but make you smile.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtCRVUdaiyw

10) Best Worst Movie

How do you combat the burden of being an actor attached to Troll 2, the worst film of all time? If you’re Michael Paul Stephenson, you film a stunning documentary, Best Worst Movie, that chronicles the unexplainable phenomenon that has turned Troll 2 from a bargain bin film into a cult classic. Just a simple viewing of the original subject is entertaining enough but now with this eye opening documentary about the creation of this "masterpiece" you have what is one of the more rewarding and sincere looks at the movie making business and the dreams of those just looking for a break.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tFgZ6DmXmw

9) The Lottery

If there's one political issue that should be simple, it's education. Everyone is for education; everyone agrees children deserve the best education possible. But trying to determine just how to give children that education is a sore subject, and that's where the problems begin. The troubling documentary "The Lottery" shows how just how many sides to a one-sided issue there can be. When you are talking about a child's future this is one time where winning really is everything.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khlm4fa-_cE

8) Marwencol

The moment of discovery is a complex thing for any artist working in obscurity. For the fascinating, unclassifiable subject of "Marwencol," it's also the most recent side effect of a brutal barroom beating. Director Jeff Malmberg's debut documentary is an intimate portrait of Mark Hogancamp, whose recovery from devastating trauma revolves around a world painstakingly created from dolls and miniatures. While it is tragic what happened to Mark, he admits that it opened a door for him. He is a new person, a person with a passion and a talent, and he is a person that you should get to know.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNKPEp6aEqQ

7) Waiting For Superman

Waiting for Superman isn’t a solution to the education problem in America; it’s a call to action. Written and directed by Davis Guggenheim, filmmaker of The Inconvenient Truth, the documentary demonstrates how high-quality educational opportunities are largely inaccessible and how a child’s future often comes down to chance. Through the stories of five kids, Guggenheim presents the pitfalls of America’s education system—and the disheartening reality of their impact. I rated this slightly higher than "The Lottery" based on the emotional connection I had with the families and the straight forward commentary from superstar to be Geoffrey Canada. One story in particular really pulled at my evil set of heart strings.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFN0nf6Hqk0

6) Inside Job

Despite the fact that it’s a trite truism that Wall Street is fueled by greed and “greed makes the world – or at least the markets – go round,” it’s merely the tip of the iceberg of moral depravity and social corruption that has been exposed on Wall Street in the new documentary by Charles Ferguson.The Inside Job is a version of the financial crisis for thinking people (as much as that’s possible on the big screen, anyway). And unlike Ferguson's first film No End in Sight we build a true narrative here not seen since one of my favorite corruption Docs, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room. And just like that visceral film be prepared to be pissed at the world (although determined more here) by the time the credits roll.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzrBurlJUNk

5) Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Elliot Spitzer

In a very different way, Client 9 insists on the ongoing performances of other participants in the financial crisis, as they dodge responsibility and seek exposure, claim legal rights and manipulate clients, constituents, and colleagues for a living. Alex Gibney’s film brilliantly points out how performance structures daily experience, as deception and also as principle. There is so much more to the story here than a sex scandal and in many ways the defiling of one of the great politicians of our time and the true cost it took in order to make this happen. Political agenda aside this is a fascinating look at the depths people will go in order to hide the truth.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WldZazpFy7I

4) A Film Unfinished

Some movies are difficult to watch because they force us to confront the brutality of others. Some are tough to sit through because they bring us face-to-face with the this same force within ourselves. And some films, like A Film Unfinished, a new documentary that consists almost entirely of Nazi footage taken inside the notorious Jewish Ghetto of Warsaw, assault us on both of these levels. As Unfinished unspools, we are left shedding tears for the fate of millions of innocents, and to quietly worry about how we, as onlookers, would have responded were we on the outside of those grim walls in the years when this unparalleled evil fell over the Polish people. Beautiful yet Haunting this is not for the faint of heart.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khut0kKn-c8

3) The Tillman Story

The Tillman Story is about the frustrating lack of resolution. It opens with an poignant interview: Pat Tilman, of the Arizona Cardinals. He appears uncomfortable, a familiar figure but also self-conscious, his performance a function of the interviews limits, as well as the limited purpose, to promote the team, to sell product during the Holiday season. “If they knew anything about my son,” observes Mary Tillman, “They wouldn’t have done what they did.” With this injustice in mind, Amir Bar-Lev’s film takes up the case of the Tilman family, with visible and insistent outrage, demanding truth from the government and military that has made it its mission to repress truth, about the current wars and about Pat Tillman’s death.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaMAVAqef7I

2) The Oath

The Oath begins as a portrait of former self-proclaimed jihadist and former personal bodyguard to Osama Bin laden, Abu Jamal, currently driving a cab in Yemen, parenting his young son and looking back on the fate of his brother, Salim Hamdan, detained at Guantánamo until the Supreme Court ruled against the Bush Administration in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld ('06). Laura Poitras’ extraordinary film turns into a series of reflections on possible truths, documentary subjects, and all manner of performances. It’s one of the best films of the year, never letting you forget the limits of its truth-telling, the performative genius and survival of its subject, the media imagery that creates and undoes him, the governments and war machines that deflect rather than reveal truth. What is "The Oath" and what secrets are Abu Jamal and his Bin laden ties hiding? The search for those answers is a rewarding one in what in many years would have been hands down the top documentary piece.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFXLhJWDMXc

1) Exit Through the Gift Shop

Perhaps the cagiest version of these challenges within the Documentary field is offered in the perfectly named, superbly unfixed Exit Through the Gift Shop, which may or may not be “the Banksy film,” as it’s been wonderfully tagged. Looking sideways and a little ironically at how art is made and marketed, ETTGS undermines the very story it tells, asking you to doubt the subjects it produces (filmmaker-turned-street-artist Thierry Guetta, street-artist-turned-filmmaker Banksy) and their capacity to speak honestly. In reflecting on the authenticity of art and the value of politics, it maintains its complex indefinition in a way that a similarly themed film: the more visceral I’m Still Here, didn’t manage.

What is real and what is fake? Where does the joke begin and end... or is it even a joke at all? The clues exist both in the art and the subjects but in the end does it really even matter? There is no question the documentary here is real, the only thing left to wonder is what truly is being documented.

It's the best of its kind in 2010 for a reason; the truly great films never end when the credits roll.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0b90Yppqu

Honorable Mention - Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, Restrepo, Collapse, Casino Jack, Last Train Home, Prodigal Sons, The Street Stops Here, The Most Dangerous Man in America Waste Land

Otherwise Known as: A.B.'s 2010 Music Blog

2011-02-14T15:47:00.004-06:00

Jesus H Christ I am glad 2010 is over. Everyone got a little older but, ahem, ladies, you don’t look it. Or at least that's what I'll tell you in the back booths at the Blind Pig. But I digress... In spite of continued petty political divide, the yet to rebound economy, and some little oil spill back home, 2010 was a hella year for music.

So in what has now become an annual review of what I thought, and thereby, was good in the world of music in 2010 I am now stealing your time yet again to tell you what you should be listening to. If it did not make the list, it means I did not get a chance to listen to it, or it sucked. It is entirely possible that some music got by me this year. It is more likely that the music I did not listen to was not listenable and therefore sucked. See a trend here?

In all seriousness, this is a compilation of 60 or so songs and 20 albums that were released in 2010 that got a lot of play in the many places where I listen to music. And for those of you that aren't hiding my facebook feed by now you too are quite familiar with most of these.

So sit back and peruse the gentle musings of what made my musical pants go crazy this year.

Top Tracks of 2010--
(consolidated list as shown on the daily facebook feed)
1) Mumford and Sons – Little Lion man
2) Cloud Cult – You’ll be bright
a.must.watch.video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCg8DsJv-t4
3) Arcade Fire - We Used To Wait
www.wildernessdowntown.com
4) Kanye West – Runaway
full length film worth a viewing as well:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg5wkZ-dJXA
5) The Kissaway Trail – SDP
6) Florence and the Machine – Dog Days Are Over
7) LCD Soundsystem - Dance Yrself Clean
8) The National – Sorrow
9) Yeasayer - Ambling Alp
10) Small Sins - Why Don't You Believe Me
11) Sleigh Bells – Infinity Guitars
12) Mumford and Sons - The Cave
13) Gorillaz – On Melancholy Hill
is any Gorillaz video NOT epic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_-zEHaVOkQ
14) Deerhunter – Desire Lines
15) Crystal Castles- Not In Love Ft. Robert Smith
16) Jónsi - Boy Lilikoi
17) Titus Andronicus - A More Perfect Union
18) Florence and the Machine – Cosmic Love
19) Jarrod Gorbel - Each Breath
song not found on grooveshark: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7AFhcDQQFw
20) Kid Cudi –Scott Mescudi vs the World Feat Cee Lo Green
21) Frightened Rabbits – The Loneliness and the Scream
video is too cool not to link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1Lf7mriehU
22) Local Natives – Wide Eyes
video has a shark. Thats a must link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVt-DZdkOzw
23) Cloud Cult – Running with the Wolves
24) Broken Social Scene – All to All
25) Cee Lo Green – No Ones Gonna love you
See 21. Rabbits, Frightened: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXiTwalPvuQ
26) CARIBOU – Odessa
27) The Jezabels – A Little Piece
28) The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio
29) Arcade Fire – Ready to Start
30) Diamond Rings - You And Me
31) Jenny and Johnny – Animal
32) B.o.B - Don't Let Me Fall
33) Broken Bells – The Ghost Inside
34) Film School - Heart Full Of Pentagons
35) Local Natives – Sun hands

Top 35 Playlist
(be sure and turn off the default playlist at the top right 1st)

5 Tracks that would be higher if I redid the list today:
35) Local Natives – Sun hands
27) The Jezabels – A Little Piece
26) CARIBOU – Odessa
21) Frightened Rabbits – The Loneliness and the Scream
15) Crystal Castles- Not In Love Ft. Robert Smith

Last 5 Cut:
Angus and Julia Stone - I’m not Yours
Los Campesinos - The Sea is a good Place to Think of the Future
Kanye West – Power
Freelance Whales - Generator ^ First Floor
Cee-Lo Green - Fuck Yo

Honorable Mention
(In no particular order)

Black Keys – Too Afraid to Love you
The Walkmen - Angela Surf City
Tokyo Police Club – Bambi
Fran Healy –Anything
Mice Parade - Recover
The New Pornographers - Crash Years
Sufjan Stevens – Impossible Soul
of Montreal - Coquet Coquette
Ra Ra Riot - Boy
Florence &The Machine - Howl
Deerhunter - Helicopter
The Morning Benders - Excuses
Beach House - Norway
Kissaway Trail - Friendly Fires
Jónsi - Kolniður
Mumford & Sons - White Blank Page
Kid Cudi - Mr. Rager
Margot &The Nuclear So & So's - Let's Paint our Teeth Green

Last Cuts and Honorable Mention Playlist

Some Top Track Stats:

Multiple Entries --
Mumford & Sons #1, #12
Cloud Cult #2 and #23
Florence & The machine #6 and #18
The National #8 and #28
Local Natives #35 and #22
Cee Lo Green #25 and vocals on #20

R&B/Rap Tracks -- 4 on top 35 and 3 Honorable Mention
Acoustic Tracks -- 3 on top 35 and 3 Honorable Mention (very down from years prior. Although some things could be stretched to be labeled Acoustic)
Electronic/Indie Pop--8 on top 35 and 4 Honorable Mention (my new favorite 'Genre')
Number of times I commented on my own link before anyone else: 35 for 35

Top albums of 2010 --

1) Mumford and Sons- Sigh No More
2) Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
3) Florence and the Machine - Lungs
4) Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
5) The Kissaway Trail - Sleep Mountain
Yet another Kissaway sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMGBEZgddcE&feature=related
6) The National - High Violet
7) Cloud Cult - Light Chasers
8) Local Natives - Gorilla Manor
9) Sufjan Stevens – Age of Adz
10) Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
11) Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
12) John Powell – How to Train your Dragon (Score)
Choice Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CJ96LGGP6w
13) Broken Bells – Broken Bells
14) Freelance Whales - Weathervanes
15) The Jezebels - Dark Storm
16) Jarrod Gorbel - Devi's Made a New Friend
17) Jonsi - Go
18) Frightened Rabbits - The Winter of Mixed Drinks
19) Los Campesinos - Romance is Boring
20) Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross – Social Network (Score)
Choice Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yczul_609Gg

Most Overrated Albums of 2010 --
Best Coast - Crazy for You: You may be hot but your LP is not. And the whiny track of "Boyfriend" sounds like one of the wenches from "My Super Sweet 16" complaining why Billie won't take her to the sock hop. Or whatever kids go to these days.

Joanna Newsome - Have One On Me: Sure harps are cool and you're talented. But so are soccer players. I have a feeling I won't give a shit about either anytime soon.

Vampire Weekend - Contra: I get it. You're all clever in your neatly pressed khakis and pastel polos and read F. Scott Fitzgerald but where dear god do you actually branch out into something meaningful in your music? And I make excuses for bands like this all the time as long as you can be catchy and fun, and despite being a HUGE fan of the self titled album this goes beyond pretentious and into what should be self depreciating hipster lore. I even bought this the day it came out. My car CD changer proceeded to die the following day. My Prius is genius.

Das Racist - Sit Down, Man: You'd think with 'Racist' in his name I'd be all over this but unfortunately the only redeeming and somewhat clever part of this album for me was when I got to 'segregate' it from the actual good music I was listening to. I tried really hard to give R&B a chance this year and many albums surprised me. This is more of the trite bullshit I was expecting. Sit down, man indeed.

Fix You: The Top Documentaries of the Decade

2010-03-08T20:24:00.002-06:00

In attempting to make some massive overall best of the decade film list I quickly learned that my OCD self just wasn't having it. Trying to decide how films like Wall-E, Bourne Ultimatum and 28 Days Later compare was/is near to impossible for me. So... What I have now decided to do was to break these down into a few essential categories (Horror, Action, Romantic etc) which will then accumulate with a top 25 or so best of the best finish.

To begin I am starting with one of my favorite and unfortunately also most overlooked genres in the industry. The Documentary has evolved over the years into something not only informative and thought provoking but also entertaining. The days of boring point and shoot docs with only talking heads of the 70's are long gone with real story tellers at the top of their craft now showcased. Sadly though chances are a large number of you haven't had a chance to catch most of these but take a minute, check out the trailer(s) and add a few of these to your NetFlix Queue. I promise you won't regret it.

So, what are the top Documentaries of the last ten years? Let's see:

15) Lake of Fire

Tackling the subject of Abortion is of course not an easy task for any filmmaker to do but what makes Lake of Fire so great is the way in which the questions are asked. Yes, there is a slant (as there is with ANY Doc) but they at least are putting something out there. Plus the ability to listen to Noam Chomsky try and rationalize the abortion debate is worth the viewing in and of itself.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b6h0lsiQcw

14) Food, Inc.

One of the common points of a documentary is to inform and empower people about a subject that they may not know too much about. On that basis alone this film succeeds and then some. This journey into the ugly and now fattened under belly of the American Foods industry is both scary and at times down right sad. The Food laws alone here should be enough to incite a riot. In the end this doc may not change that much but it is something everyone should see.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eKYyD14d_0

13) Sicko

Michael Moore is an entertainer first and a fact checking Filmmaker second. But don't let this sway you because when he gets it right (see Roger & Me) he REALLY get's it right. A film that minus one small scene was actually very even handed it showed us just how "sick" this healthcare debate is. Moore's unique editing and story telling was in rare form here as he brings us from anger to tears seamlessly. A Sad film that given our current political climate is a very good watch for those on the fence in healthcare reform.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BJyyyRYbSk

12) Anvil! The Story of Anvil

A crazy but uplifting story about the Band that never could. 30 years, a dozen albums later, and they are still trying to make it desperately hanging on to that brief 15 minutes of fame they had in the early 80's . Knowing that this is all real is the true kicker as you find yourself rooting for these guys all while scratching your head at their every move. One of the funniest documentaries in years and if you are paying attention is actually pretty moving too.The lead singer here "Lips" is the real star and so damn endearing that you can't help but catch on to his far fetched optimism. The 5th band to the "Big 4 of Thrash Metal" (Slayer, Metallica, Megadeath & Anthrax) this is something all music lovers need to see.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF4H8lB2Y_o

11) The Devil and Daniel Johnston

Speaking of music lovers this is a heartbreaking, yet strangely uplifting and inspirational, exploration of the fine line between genius and madness. Daniel Johnston is regarded by many as a musical genius but that aforementioned line isn't toed gracefully as the mental illness that controls him takes him through a dark path of creativity and depression. Artists across the world loved this man and to see the literal madness at work is an amazing achievement in film-making.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJZOe65eA4Y

10) Super Size Me

Probably the most famous documentary in years Morgan Spurlock lived his film taking his body to unbelievable lengths and unsettling an active legal team over at McDonalds. We all know that this food "isn't good for you" but this breaks it down to the scary little morsels that in end despite some slight embellishments was still frightening. Unlike so many other Docs that preach a message only to be sadly forgotten later this actually changed the McDonalds (and subsequently numerous other fast food chains) menu and on that merit alone it deserves special credit here.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1Lkyb6SU5U

9) Man on Wire

All of us have dreams, some more "mainstream" than others. For Phillipe Petit this dream was to tight rope walk in between the twin towers in NY. In what may seem like a simple concept the real execution of the film here is the crazy lengths at which they went to pull this off. In what feels like a real life heist film this is a riveting documentary that details what has been tabbed as the Great Artistic Crime of the Century.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW1b3G2MN3Q

8) Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room

The Enron scandal is so much more than simply money laundering and bad books. These people are pure evil. This absolutely riveting documentary takes you into those practices and unearths just how slimy these men really were. It's crazy to think how things like the California power outages of the early 2000's were actually started ON PURPOSE in an attempt to increase profits and run up power bills. These men were dirty crooks who would do ANYTHING for a dollar but sadly were also masters at hiding it for so many years. Prepare to be pissed off for a good day or two after watching this.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zMakN-EMLg

7) Young at Heart

Ugh. I get teary eyed just thinking about this one. In one of the more uplifting ~~documentaries~~ movies I have ever seen we meet a traveling music group comprised of 22 senior citizens whose average age is 80 that cover classics from the Clash, the Ramones and more. In what could be just a tongue in cheek look at a gimmick we learn so much about these beautiful people and how important this is to their lives. The closing number of "Fix You" by Coldplay is one the most moving moments captured on film all decade and if it doesn't pull at your heart strings you are dead inside. Beautiful people and a beautiful film that makes you appreciate life and the journey we are all undertaking.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjnfoFg7i7g

6) Capturing the Freidman’s

In 1980's NY s a small community was rocked when schoolteacher and father of 3 Albert Friedman was charged with Child Pornography. Controversy immediately came to the forefront as the stories started to not add up and the Freidman's family was torn apart. What makes this documentary unique though is that remarkably enough, in the midst of these crises , the Friedmans continued to take part in one of their favorite pastimes -- shooting home videos of their lives, offering a fly-on-the-wall look at a family struggling (and often failing) to hold themselves together in the wake of unthinkable accusations. A lot is left for the viewer to decipher here but this fascinating look into a family that made all the news at the time is as unique of a film as I have ever seen.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R10VjJgx1dU

5) Grizzly Man

Timothy Treadwell was a self-styled authority on bears who would spend as much time as possible each year in Alaska camping out near a grizzly bear habitat. While Treadwell claimed to love the bears and felt as one with them, he had no formal training in their behavior. To many, Treadwell seemed part man of nature, part conjurer, and part self-promotion expert, but the part that guided his kinship with the bears failed him in 2003, when he and his girlfriend were killed in a grizzly attack. Treadwell shot hundreds of hours of footage of himself and the grizzlies, and reclaimed filmmaker Warner Herzog has used this footage as the core of Grizzly Man, a haunting look at Treadwell's life and death.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogYDUmIigw0

4) Jesus Camp

I haven't been this scared of little kids since Child's Play. Militant would be an understatement as the term "indoctrinate" should be reserved for this scenario and this only. An absolutely frightening but more importantly eye opening journey into a young children's Bible camp leaves a sour taste in your mouth as you see what is being "preached" and practiced by our youth today. Political undertones that eerily resonate through every frame this is a film that can be just as scary as any horror film out today.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URUOSXJrx8c

3) Taxi to the Dark Side

The term "torture" is not a semantic argument. Period. A film that will sit with you for days after; this is a poignant and haunting story about the modern day internment camps known affectionately as Gitmo and Abu Graib. Regardless of political affiliation this is an even handed and detailed story of the soldiers who were ordered to carry out and the men who withstood the brutal abuse in one of the darkest times in recent US history. Watch, listen and understand what REALLY went on in these camps and then ask yourself the same question that hired attorneys said on behalf of our political leaders: Do we torture? This isn't easy to watch but I urge everyone to seek it out as it is a film that I will soon never forget.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5j3Ry8qXOI

2) Deliver us From Evil

If other documentaries like Enron, Sicko and Taxi to the Dark side got you angry then take a deep breath because this one may make you sick to your stomach. Unravel the history of Catholic Priest Oliver O'Grady as he (in his own words even) details the lurid sexual affairs he had with numerous young children in the 70's and 80's. That concept alone is unsettling enough but this unbelievable film attempts to reunite this man with his victims and their families in order to "make amends" (if they so wish). This is one of the more haunting films I have EVER seen and breaks your heart so many times over as you learn about the cover-up from the highest powers, as you see the torment it caused so many families and in this process gave us the newest face of evil in film today. Hannibal Lector was never this frightening and worse yet he never had the Catholic church covering up his tracks and paying his bills. Prepare to be pissed.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scW90Q6Z_OM

1) King of Kong

Never has a documentary made me so emotionally invested in a man's journey before. In what is both hilarious, ridiculous and sometimes down right evil we get the story of the nice guy who truly does always finish last. The concept may seem funny (attempting to break the all time high score in Donkey Kong) but the journey this man takes and the rivalry that ignites all to be captured on film is movie making gold. In what should be so simple in scope we get something so rewarding and characters so rich you almost feel like it was scripted. Billy Mitchell becomes almost like a comic book level villain who along with so many others takes his stature as the king of gamers FAR too seriously. You will laugh, you will cry and unlike other times that cliche is uttered it is 100% true here. A pop culture phenomenon has been born and I am so glad a camera crew was around to capture it.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMJZ-_bJKdI

The Top 25 Songs of 2009

2010-03-08T19:36:00.003-06:00

Reverse Porkies: The Top 10 TV Shows of 2009

2010-03-08T18:53:00.004-06:00

10) How I Met Your Mother

There have been better seasons for sure of this shall I say EPIC show but the "Playbook" episode alone easily secures it's place in the best of 2009:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV-NhfgoA7A

Tasty Clip/Video of the Year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0hoyfzY6TA

9) Parks and Recreation

It took me a while to really warm up to this show but once I did it quickly became a must watch on what is now the best Thursday night comedy lineup in many many years. Plus well all the Pacers, Colts and Hoosiers references have a special place near and dear to my heart:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M7trfD7fSk

Tasty Clip/Video of the Year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQxnEoykMPs

8) 30 Rock

Week in, week out this show never fails to deliver. I had heard rumors of a possible demise this season and I find those grossly inaccurate. As long as Jack and Tracy are in their elements this show is a winner. Plus I am starting to find Tina Fey more and more attractive every time she dances. It's getting weird for me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8HPGFJiq7M

Tasty Clip/Video of the Year: http://www.hulu.com/watch/102582/30-rock-normal#s-p8-sr-i1

7) Real Time with Bill Maher

In a land of completely biased paid off pundits we were crying for anyone with a reasonable head to speak to those logical people who still followed Politics in this country. Olberman had his moments but in the end just got crazier and crazier and eventually just became O'Reilly of the left. Bill Maher though was the exception. When all of the Left was busy praising Obama blindly this man spoke up and gave one of the most poignant illustrations of OUR frustrations imaginable. This.was.epic.:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewmruk69SIo

Tasty Clip/Video of the Year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2QoCDxsTUM

6) Community

The single most surprising show of the year for me. I didn't expect much and ended up with what may have been the best show on NBC these past Thursday nights (and that's saying something). It, much like 30 Rock, crams all the jokes in a small window and does so flawlessly. It also introduced my favorite new character of 2009, Abed: http://www.hulu.com/watch/109676/community-highlight-reel-1#s-p5-sr-i1

Although Senor Chang may also be a close 2nd: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzCiEe-NCzY

Tasty Clip/Video of the Year: http://www.hulu.com/watch/108709/community-greendale-vs-city-college#s-p6-sr-i1

5) The League

The show that feels to have been *literally* created for me. Always Sunny meets Fantasy Football. Are you kidding? The semi-scripted concept is risky but just like it's parent show (curb your enthusiasm) when you have funny people it's not so hard to make work. The detailed football jokes here were aplenty but it was some of Taco's (the hilarious John Lajoie) songs that really put this show on the map for me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuVsLR_2GX0

Tasty Clip/Video of the Year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joBzixkoe7I

4) LOST

Another year, another excellent season of LOST. No show spends more time developing (and now answering) plot lines and characters but still has the time to be so painstakingly beautiful in it's cinematography and aesthetics. This is the most well made and acted show of all time. Yes, I said that and without hesitation. Hands down. Season 5 though was an interesting one and although it didn't have the stay power that a season 3 or 2 did it actually started to give us some real answers. Beyond that it brought into light the intriguing character of Jacob: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lACK3yxRDIE

Tasty Clip/Video of the Year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TfHqQJKnGY

3) Always Sunny in Philadelphia

The funniest show currently on TV is back to it's roots. After a lackluster season 4 (aside from the Nightman musical of course) the 5th season pushed the envelope once again and allowed for some of the funniest moments in the shows history. Not to mention "Kitten Mittons" alone could have pushed this into the top 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCaTpFwcC9o

Tasty Clip/Video of the Year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ItTAZmgKc4

2) Dexter

I have always been a Dexter fan but going into this season I grew frustrated. I was not a fan of the domestication shown and wanted more of that raw behavior and awkwardness that Made the first two seasons so special. Without going into any spoilers that all changed this year and Dexter took a turn the show SORELY needed. This was the best season of the show to date and could even qualify as top 3 of the decade. It just went against history for the #1 spot and that was unfortunate. This also brought in John Lithgow who may have been the most perfectly cast villain in all my TV watching life. You will have to sign in to you tube to view this FYI:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2oOru8OFfE

Tasty Clip/Video of the Year:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec6Z1D8E1LU

1) Curb Your Enthusiasm

The #1 reason why I always loved Curb as much as I did was because it filled that deep cold void that the absence of my favorite show of all time left: Seinfeld. First let me say that even without any of the Seinfeld moments here this season still would have been amazing (just like every season) but the most consistent comedy on TV today took it to a new level and brought back all that is right in the world. Simply doing a Seinfeld reunion is one thing but the way they did it; how you started to see the dynamic that actually played out while the show was going on... It felt like I was watching the funniest documentary of all time about the making of Seinfeld.

They didn't shy away from the press: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktZde2tEK1Y

They had scenes that just took you back to the old Thursday nights so seamlessly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhyGlGgXMxY

Then they even had Larry David, play George, who is based off Larry in real life and well...greatness ensued: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhgFvhc2iq0

Tasty Clip/Video of the Year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxFPi5AEPUI

This season was well...perfect. So many of us wanted a reunion and what we got was even better. People can knock TV all they want and most of it rightfully so but I feel like those people just aren't watching this. In the words of Barney Stinson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o63cxb-5DH0

Special Mention to: Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Modern Family

I have seen an episode of Modern Family and much enjoyed it. And by all accounts Breaking Bad and Mad Men are pretty damn good. So before some of you get all up in arms over this they are on my 'to do' list though I assure you.

Carl & Ellie: The Top Films of 2009

2010-03-08T17:06:00.004-06:00

OK, to start off my lil' blog here I am going to begin posting some old lists that I made from facebook just so everything is consolidated. The first of which will be my top films of 09. Yep.

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As a former film student and Rob Gordon/Flemming apologist I struggled to put together this year's list more than ever. 2009 really was just an interesting year for film.

While there wasn't one breakthrough, hands down, top film there was a very nice list of solid flicks that absolutely deserve their credit. We saw some standout directors deliver (Quentin Tarantino, Wes Anderson, Ivan Reitman, Ramin Bahrami) but also some others falter (Michael Mann, Peter Jackson, Woody Allen). We saw the Blockbuster record books re-written and for good measure. Pixar raised their game and tackled subjects never before seen in their history; documentaries saw a well deserved upswing and the Horror Genre had as well rounded a year as any.

So yes, this may not have been another 07' where any of the top five films of that year would have been #1 here but there is some definite staying power with the differences between #1 and #20 minimal and all deserving to stand on their own merit.

SO...Let's recap with my Top 20, err 21 of 2009:

21) Anvil!: The Story of Anvil

So yes, this was just tacked on to my list here but for good reason. A crazy but uplifting story about the Band that never could. 30 years, a dozen albums later, and they are still trying to make it desperately hanging on to that brief 15 minutes of fame they had in the early 80's . Knowing that this is all real is the true kicker as you find yourself rooting for these guys all while scratching your head at their every move. One of the funniest documentaries in years and if you are paying attention is actually pretty moving too.The lead singer here "Lips" is the real star and so damn endearing that you can't help but catch on to his far fetched optimism. The 5th band to the "Big 4 of Thrash Metal" (Slayer, Metallica, Megadeath & Anthrax) this is something all music lovers need to see.

Come to think of it... I really think that #21 overall might be too low here but I'm too lazy to change this now.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF4H8lB2Y_o

20) Where the Wild Things Are

No film (other than maybe Avatar) has caused more of a rift between critics. There are those who loathe every second of this and others who have called it their film of the year. I lean towards the latter but hesitantly. There are those moments when I was completely entranced but others where it seemed to drag. I am eagerly awaiting a second viewing because I have a feeling this could drastically affect my thoughts here.

Tasty Clip:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr6vSC114PE

I am also adding the trailer since it was my favorite of the year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFk7kYa_i0s

19) Star Trek

I HATE anything and everything Star Trek that is not related to the "Wrath of Khan" and that is mainly because of fond memories as a child. For years the only good thing to come from this franchise was the documentary "Trekkies". That was until JJ Abrams came around. I don't care how different certain characters are or what different path the story took this movie was an absolute blast and was a perfect example of what a "reboot" action film should be.

Tasty Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajaZxfwzBg8

18) House of the Devil

This is what Rob Zombie meant to do. I love the concept of making a throwback film. Something that shows an unbelievable respect to the genre and makes you feel as though you are living through that time period all over again. Director Ti West gets this and then some. If you were to pass by this late night on HBO you'd swear it was made in 1983 (watch the trailer to see what I mean). Everything is pitch perfect here with a palpable tension that builds from the first scene. I won't recommend this to everyone but if you are a horror purist this is your film. Polanski and DePalma would be so proud.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHvSkTDWFfk

17) Sugar

When you call this a "sports movie" you are doing it a disservice. Now don't get me wrong I still am a sucker for a good sports flick but they are the romantic comedies for men. The same tired plot points and predictable endings. Sports cliches - Meet 'Sugar' and more importantly meet the REAL best sports film of 2009 ('The Blindside' can't hold a candle to this). Writer/Directors Ryan Fleck and Ann Bowen (Half Nelson) now have a dedicated viewer for whatever comes next.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO8CoIO8ASw

16) Adventureland

This feels like the THQ marketing team headed this gem up. Horribly spun as a new "Superbad" this film got lost in the shuffle for all the wrong reasons. A true slice of life that was both refreshing and genuine you can relate to the characters here that have more depth than most first realize. Ignore the trailer, ignore that the chick from Twilight is in it and just give this funny *DRAMA* a chance. It was even better on a second viewing too.

Tasty Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LZmysUhUjk

15) Food, Inc.

One of the common points of a documentary is to inform and empower people about a subject that they may not know too much about. On that basis alone this film succeeds and then some. This journey into the ugly and now fattened under belly of the American Foods industry is both scary and at times down right sad. The Food laws alone here should be enough to incite a riot. In the end this doc may not change that much but it is something everyone should see.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eKYyD14d_0

14) Drag me to Hell

Welcome back Mr. Sam Raimi. Emo Spidey aside I have always LOVED this man for bringing to me one of the greatest Horror trilogies of all time (Evil Dead). What worked so well there was Sam's unbelievable ability to make a film truly scary while also funny. The Horror Comedy has been tried by others and has failed but Sam has this uncanny way of balancing it so perfectly. This was such a breath of fresh old crazy witch doctor woman air that that I, and the genre, had been sorely missing.

Tasty Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn6u0WSraqc

13) An Education

Ladies and gentlemen we have a star. Miss Carey Mulligan gave the best performance by an Actress in 2009. This is not even worth discussing. Combined with this breakthrough role was a clever script from re-known Author Nick Hornby (High Fidelity, Songbook) which took a story that had been done but with a fresh and witty feel to it that is hard to really describe. Yes, there are elements that are predictable but the journey to get there is both refreshing and moving. The period alone (1960's London) was a character within herself that really brought some unique story elements to their awkward but at times beautiful relationship.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXJPX0XvsHs

12) Avatar

Say what you will about the story or stupid political undertones but this to me is what going to the movies is all about: An escape. I didn't know much about the story going in (deliberately) and I think that helped as I become completely immersed into this fascinating new world. Yes, the "plot" had been written before but the environment, the characters, the creatures had not. I am THE last person to care about special effects in a movie but this took it to a whole different level with me. I had a blast. And for that reason alone this makes my list.

Tasty Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYPPyaqyTRc

11) In the Loop

This is like Wag the Dog...but better. And yes, I know what that must mean. Political satire at it's best you find yourself laughing hysterically while becoming so frustrated at the process and decision making it almost makes it uneasy at times (i.e. The Larry David effect). Razor sharp in it's pacing, acting and wit this is a comedy that keeps your mind going 100 MPH. Peter Capaldi is pitch perfect as the foul mouthed Communications Director for the British Prime Minister who steals every scene he is in. The best true comedy of the year and if you enjoy British Humor and/or Political comedies this is the film for you.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQrqMkCuHqA

10) Precious

I somehow saw this with my mother when home last Christmas. Learn from my mistake here: Do not take your Christian, conservative mother to a movie about rape. Words to live by right there. Look, this is not an easy viewing but WOW is it powerful. You get thrown in to a world with no gloss, nothing held back and you can see what a tough life is really all about. Amazing performances abound in one of the more heartbreaking films of the year.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5FYahzVU44

9) Moon

Why hello old school sci-fi, where have you been all these years? You'd think that what essentially turns out to be a one man show that takes place almost entirely in one or two small rooms would be boring but that couldn't be further from the truth. Sam Rockwell is quickly moving up my man crush list with performances like this and single handedly made me hang on to every moment. You can feel the games being played in Mr. Rockwells head as the story takes an interesting turn that keeps him and the audience guessing. Why this one seems to have missed most critics top lists baffles me. Excellent film that hopefully reignites a struggling genre.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twuScTcDP_Q

8) Inglorious Basterds

Oh Quentin, I know that for some reason you seem to be getting more backlash these days but I honestly just don't understand it. You deliver each and EVERY time and find new and interesting ways to keep me at those theaters opening weekend. Hell you even made me tolerate Eli Roth for a bit which anyone that knows me is aware of such an accomplishment. Christopher Waltz is my pick for best supporting actor seamlessly switching between witty and frightening all while balancing Italian, German and English dialect. Great performance. Great film.

Tasty Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIja0yValiE

7) Goodbye Solo

If you don't know who Ramin Bahrami is and you call yourself a film buff then you need to rethink your title. One of the brightest directors working today Ramin does so much with so little and with Goodbye Solo he has one of the most moving films of the year. So simple in concept but so rich in the details of the characters. Souleymane Sy Savane delivers one of the most charming performances of the year that takes you through the awkward early laughs and late woeful tears. Just a beautiful film on display by a VERY talented Director.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5IGC59Q9y8

6) Hurt Locker

The hype may be going a bit too high for this one (see Slumdog of 08' and No Country of 07') but just like the other two if you can see this without expecting a world burner you will have a damn good movie going experience on your hands. That being said the first hour of this may be the best 2009 has to offer. You can feel the tension building in what is one of the best and most unique looks at the Iraq war. Jeremy Renner is a long overdue star and while the second half may have lacked a third plot point it still delivers in what is an excellent all around film.

Tasty Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bx6heoEOE8

5) Fantastic Mr Fox

Wes Anderson is amazing. Period. End of Story. This man continues to deliver and now in a medium I never would have expected. In what could also be very commercially appealing (if distributors tried here) Wes accomplishes something with a beautiful, poignant story that is both funny and charming just at the right times. Jason Schwratzman and Chris Anderson steal the show with their witty rivalry as Ash and Kristofferson and The Weasel (voiced by Wes himself) is one of the funniest characters of the year. I can't wait to watch this one again.

Tasty Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS2p7tf0B-8

4) Sin Nombre

The top foreign film of the year that haunts you for days and days after.This is a riveting piece that weaves together two heart-wrenching and gritty stories that would otherwise seem unrelated. It is beautifully and realistically photographed and provides true no-frills story telling. Foreign films always seem to be overlooked come Oscar time and by American audiences but I urge you to seek this one out. Produced by members involved with 'Y Tu Mama Tambien' and 'City of God' we get a new classic here that is both powerful and soulful. Just like some other classics this isn't an easy viewing and I wouldn't recommend it as a romantic movie night but please don't let that or the fact this is foreign deter you from catching it. This is a potential masterpiece and really is interchangeable with any of these top 3 films as the best of the year.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy28rYE8NIw

3) UP

Do I really have to even explain myself here? Pixar are the Gods of the genre, we know this, but what they have done lately is just insane. UP tackles subjects that you'd never expect (miscarriage? absentee fathers?) and while it still manages to pull the family along for the ride you find yourself noticing more depth to the leads as the story progresses. To take a film about heartbreak and friendship and spin this as a family film that is effective AND funny is genius. The opening montage is in my mind the single greatest scene in Pixar's history (with respect to the Hello Dolly Wall-E scene). So beautiful on so many levels. It's not easy to make a grown man cry in an animated film but my heart strings could only take so much. Between this and Wall-E I find it hard to believe that it can get any better than this. <3

Tasty Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsG2S_1PRnk

2) (500) Days of Summer

Romantic Comedies are probably the toughest genre to tackle. Everything seems to have been done before and then you find yourself struggling to do what your target audience may want and what you know wouldn't actually happen. Rarely does a film seem to understand this and give more credit to their audience and just like the great Romantic films before it (Annie Hall, Eternal Sunshine, Garden State) when you finally see this come together just right it can be a beautiful thing. I walked out of the theater of (500) Days blown away. I cared about the characters; I related to so many of the experiences; I felt the heartbreak; I understood the elation only to feel the 180 turn. Great performances (Joseph Gordon levitt was oscar worthy here), a witty script, an unbelievable soundtrack and two of the most beautiful scenes on film this year helped make this what may turn out to be my *favorite* film of the year. Girls seem to be mixed on the ending but just like the characters learned the truth is sometimes hard to swallow.

Tasty Clip (of the year really, but warning there are spoilers here): http://vimeo.com/7580722

Tasty Clip #2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2seAJsrtIbQ

1) Up in the Air

Again, picking a top film was not easy for me. The first time I saw this I knew I that I loved it but it was the second viewing that changed everything. In what could have been just another "good" romantic minded dramedy we get something so much more authentic and so unique. This films speaks to a generation of people that are dealing with our current economic situation in varying ways and does so with tact and care. It's heartbreaking, witty, deep and at times hilarious all without taking you out of the movie going experience. Clooney should win best Actor here (although he won't) and Jason Reitman has actually improved at each and every film. Which considering his resume is very impressive (Thank You for Smoking & Juno). This had opportunities to become predictable but right when you think the old cliche's are coming in Mr. Reitman pulls the rug out from under us. If you have recently been laid off or had to lay someone off this won't be easy but at the same time is necessary to see. It's an amazing film and to me the best there was in 2009.

Tasty Clip:http://www.rottentomatoes.com/dor/objects/14277197/up_in_the_air_2009/videos/upintheair_clip_101909.html

Tasty Clip #2: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/dor/objects/14277197/up_in_the_air_2009/videos/uita_3_112509.html

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Bonus Film Pick of the Year:

Friday the 13th

Guilty pleasure? Maybe so. But this to me might have actually been my favorite movie going experience of the year. First for the rare few of you that don't know I am a complete Friday the 13th apologist(nerd). You could name a kill scene and I could immediately tell you what movie it was from. I grew up on this which is now the most profitable Horror film franchise of all time. The first R movie I ever saw was Friday Part 7 and then proceeded to sneak into the theater one year later at 10 years old to see Part 8.

ANYWAY... The point is I know what this series is supposed to be about and although I was hesitant about this "reboot" they actually got it all right here:

Cars not starting at inconvenient times: Check
Gratuitous Sex: Check
Virgins: Check
Skinny Dipping: Check
Dumb Teens: Check
Drug Abuse: Check
Elaborate Kills: Check

See, these aren't necessarily cliches because this was the series that started all of this (with respect to a few other flicks to some degree). They took what I grew up with and simply made it modern. No outsmarting themselves. No clever twists. Just have Jason show up behind you when it's preposterous for him to have made it up the stairs that fast and stab you in the throat. Aaron is then Happy. And this made me happy and isn't that what a movie is all about? I heart you Jason Voorhies. And I LOVED this remake.

Tasty Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uacrOVs5Xbc